Stevioside Improves Liver Insulin Resistance in Prediabetic Mice via IRS1/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.

Prediabetes progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can be effectively prevented by adequate dietary intervention via improved liver insulin resistance. Stevioside, as a natural and safe sweetener, has been shown to have antidiabetic properties. However, whether stevioside can enhance liver insulin resistance in prediabetes remains unclear.

Discovery of 3-(Fluoro-imidazolyl)pyridazine Derivatives as Potent STING Agonists with Antitumor Activity.

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) represents a promising therapeutic target for cancer and infectious diseases due to its ability to activate innate immune responses. Herein, we describe the discovery of 3-(fluoro-imidazolyl) pyridazine derivatives as potent STING agonists. Our comprehensive investigation, including structural and functional analysis as well as molecular dynamics simulation, suggests that appropriate spatial dimensions may play a crucial role in determining agonist efficacy.

Effects and Mechanisms of Steviol Glycosides on Glucose Metabolism: Evidence From Preclinical Studies.

The natural sweeteners of steviol glycosides (SGs) have been widely used as a substitute for sugar due to their high sweetness, low-calorie properties, and potential health benefits. Some studies reported that SGs could regulate glucose metabolism and prevent Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, the detailed mechanisms remained further elucidated. Therefore, in this review, we aimed to systematically summarize the effects and mechanisms of SGs on glucose metabolism based on evidence from preclinical studies.

Selenium Nanoparticles Decorated With Stevioside Potentially Attenuate Fructose Palmitate Induced Lipid Accumulation in HepG2 Cells.

The excessive accumulation of lipid droplets within hepatocytes stands as a hallmark characteristic of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Selenium (Se) nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered considerable attention for their notable bioavailability, minimal toxicity, and exceptional antioxidant properties. However, a critical limitation lies in the propensity of SeNPs to aggregate into the biologically inactive elemental Se, thereby constraining their utility.

Relationship between short-term exposure to sulfur dioxide and emergency ambulance dispatches due to cardiovascular disease.

Background: The relationship between sulfur dioxide (SO) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains inconclusive. We aimed to clarify the association between short-term exposure to SO and emergency ambulance dispatches (EADs) due to CVD.

Methods: We collected daily data on the number of EADs due to CVD, air pollutants, and meteorological factors between October 2013 and June 2018 in Guangzhou, China.

Stevioside Ameliorates Palmitic Acid-Induced Abnormal Glucose Uptake via the PDK4/AMPK/TBC1D1 Pathway in C2C12 Myotubes.

Background: Stevioside (SV) with minimal calories is widely used as a natural sweetener in beverages due to its high sweetness and safety. However, the effects of SV on glucose uptake and the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoenzyme (PDK4) as an important protein in the regulation of glucose metabolism, remain largely unexplored. In this study, we used C2C12 skeletal muscle cells that was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to assess the effects and mechanisms of SV on glucose uptake and PDK4.

Effect of steviol glycosides as natural sweeteners on glucose metabolism in adult participants.

Steviol glycosides (SGs) are recognized as safe natural sweeteners; however, evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed an inconclusive effect of SGs on glucose metabolism in adult participants. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs to assess the effect of SGs on glucose metabolism. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE to include eligible RCTs.

Relationship Between Lipoprotein(a), Renal Function Indicators, and Chronic Kidney Disease: Evidence From a Large Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant global public health challenge. While lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) has been established as a significant factor in cardiovascular disease, its connection to CKD risk remains a topic of debate. Existing evidence indicates diverse risks of kidney disease among individuals with various renal function indicators, even when within the normal range.

Structure-Activity Relationship Study of 1-Pyrrole-3-carbonitrile Derivatives as STING Receptor Agonists.

The use of small agonists to target stimulators of interferon genes (STING) has been demonstrated to be a promising strategy for the treatment of various cancers and infectious diseases. Herein, we discovered a series of 1-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile derivatives as potential STING agonists. On this basis, the structure-activity relationship of this scaffold was studied by introducing various substituents on the aniline ring system.

Co-pyrolysis of dyeing sludge and pine sawdust in a fluidized bed: Characterization and analysis of pyrolytic products and investigation of synergetic effects.

Co-pyrolysis of dyeing sludge (DS) and pine sawdust (PS) was carried out in a fluidized bed pyrolyser. The results revealed that addition of PS increased the yields of condensate and gas, and dramatically improved pore structure of co-pyrolysis char, enhancing immobilization of the metals, nutrient and pollution elements. Catalysts (Na-ZSM-5 and HZSM-5) significantly reduced tar and coke, strengthened the integrity of pore structure.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Bipyridazine Derivatives as Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) Receptor Agonists.

The development of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonists has been of potential applications for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Based on the crystal structure of bound to hSTING, we designed and synthesized a novel series of bipyridazine derivatives as highly potent STING agonists. Among them, compound led to significant thermal stability shifts of the common alleles of hSTING, as well as that of mSTING.

Consumption of Non-Nutritive Sweetener during Pregnancy and Weight Gain in Offspring: Evidence from Human Studies.

The relationship between the consumption of maternal non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) during pregnancy and the risk of obesity in offspring remains inconsistent. We aimed to systematically evaluate and clarify the relationship between NNS intake during pregnancy and weight gain in offspring based on evidence from population and clinical research. Databases including PubMed (via Medline), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for eligible human studies.

Pyrolysis of vegetable oil soapstock in fluidized bed: Characteristics of thermal decomposition and analysis of pyrolysis products.

This study investigated the effect of temperature on pyrolysis of soapstock in a fluidized bed reactor, and the characterization of soapstock chars (SCs) and pyrolysis oils (POs) were analyzed. TGA, TG-FTIR, TG-MS, and Py-GCMS were employed to investigate characteristics of SS pyrolysis. Experimental results indicated that the yield of SC decreased with increasing temperature.

Iron-biochar production from oily sludge pyrolysis and its application for organic dyes removal.

In this study, a single-step pyrolysis approach was developed to directly convert oily sludge (OS) with high iron content into a magnetic iron-char catalyst for organic dyes removal. Magnetic iron-char catalysts were employed to degrade crystal violet (CV), methylene blue (MB), and sunset yellow (SY). The OC800 iron-char catalyst prepared from OS was not only rich in iron (mainly stable FeO), but also showed favorable pore structures.

Reduction of mtDNA heteroplasmy in mitochondrial replacement therapy by inducing forced mitophagy.

Mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) has been used to prevent maternal transmission of disease-causing mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). However, because MRT requires nuclear transfer, it carries the risk of mtDNA carryover and hence of the reversion of mtDNA to pathogenic levels owing to selective replication and genetic drift. Here we show in HeLa cells, mouse embryos and human embryos that mtDNA heteroplasmy can be reduced by pre-labelling the mitochondrial outer membrane of a donor zygote via microinjection with an mRNA coding for a transmembrane peptide fused to an autophagy receptor, to induce the degradation of the labelled mitochondria via forced mitophagy.

MAPRE2 regulates the first meiotic progression in mouse oocytes.

Microtubule plus-end tracking proteins (+TIPs) associate with growing microtubule plus ends and control microtubule dynamics and interactions with different cellular structures during cell division, cell migration and morphogenesis. Microtubule-associated RP/EB family member 2 (MAPRE2/EB2) is a highly conserved core component of +TIPs networks, but whether this molecule is required for mammalian meiotic progression is unknown. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of MAPRE2 during oocyte maturation.

Co-pyrolysis of biomass and polyvinyl chloride under microwave irradiation: Distribution of chlorine.

Co-pyrolysis of sophora wood (SW) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was conducted in a microwave reactor at different temperatures and different mixing ratios, and the transformation and distribution of chlorine in pyrolysis products were investigated. Microwave pyrolysis is a simple and efficient technique with better heating uniformity and process controllability than conventional heating. Compared with PVC pyrolysis, the addition of SW significantly reduced CO yield and greatly increased the yield of CO.

A strategy for screening trypsin inhibitors from traditional Chinese medicine based on a monolithic capillary immobilized enzyme reactor coupled with offline liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.

A novel strategy was successfully developed for screening trypsin inhibitors in traditional Chinese medicines based on monolithic capillary immobilized enzyme reactors combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Organic polymer based monolithic enzyme reactors were firstly prepared by covalently bonding trypsin to a poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate) monolith by the ring-opening reaction of epoxy groups. The activity and kinetic parameters of the obtained monolithic trypsin reactors were systematically evaluated using micro-liquid chromatography.

(Benzyl phenyl sulfoxide-κO)-chlorido-triphenyl-tin(IV).

The Sn(IV) atom in the title compound, [Sn(C(6)H(5))(3)Cl(C(13)H(12)OS)], is situated within a distorted C(3)ClO trigonal-bipyramidal coordination geometry with a mean Sn-C distance of 2.136 (6) Å and with an Sn-O distance of 2.393 (4) Å.

(Benzyl phenyl sulfoxide-κO)dichloridodiphenyl-tin(IV).

The Sn(IV) atom in the title compound, [Sn(C(6)H(5))(2)Cl(2)(C(13)H(12)OS)], displays a distorted C(2)Cl(2)O trigonal-bipyramidal coordination environment, with a mean Sn-C distance of 2.121 (9) Å and with Sn-O = 2.331 (2) Å.